Paxton Lynch ready if Trevor Siemian can't play

Mike Klis, KUSA4:00 PM. MST November 30, 2016

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass pursued by defensive end Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter of the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo: Ezra Shaw, 2016 Getty Images)

KUSA - A ponderous boot bracing his left foot, Trevor Siemian stepped up to the microphone Wednesday and did his best to downplay his injury.

Siemian had just played a tremendous game in vain, throwing for 368 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 30-27 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. That was Sunday night. On Monday morning, Siemian knew there was something wrong.

“I woke up the next morning I was a little sore,’’ he said.

Siemian's injury, which was first reported by 9News, occurred as he was sacked for the last of his five times with 9:33 left in overtime. Kansas City defensive end Tamba Hali bull-rushed Broncos left tackle Russell Okung into Siemian. It was Okung who knocked Siemian over, a play that left the quarterback with a left foot sprain.

How long Siemian will be out nobody knows. Gary Kubiak said Siemian is day to day. The last time a Broncos' quarterback was placed in a boot and deemed day-to-day, Peyton Manning sat out six weeks.

There are only five weeks left in this season so Siemian's foot is not considered as serious as Manning's heel. But there's a decent chance the Broncos' quarterback Sunday against the Jaguars will be first-round rookie Paxton Lynch, who grew up about 115 miles south of Jacksonville in Deltona, Fla.

Let's say Siemian won't play against the Jaguars, how has Lynch progressed since we last saw him struggled in his first and only start Oct. 9 against the Atlanta Falcons?

“I think really well,'' Siemian said. "All the guys have a lot of trust in him. It’s been exciting to see from the time he came in the building to where’s he’s at now, how much he’s grown. I think he’s doing a really good job, he has been doing a good job. I’m sure he’ll keep doing that this week. If I can practice great, if not I’m sure Paxton will be just fine.’’

Siemian did not practice Wednesday and the fact he was wearing a boot means he won't practice Thursday, either. He had been dealing with a left shoulder joint sprain that forced him to sit out against the Falcons earlier this season.

Lynch played well coming off the bench following Siemian's injury against Tampa Bay in week 4, completing 14 of 24 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown without an interception in a 27-7 victory. But Lynch was mostly ineffective until late in the game against the Falcons the following week, finishing 23 of 35 for 223 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

“I feel confident, more confident than I did when the season started,'' Lynch said. "Getting the chance to get those scout team reps against the first team defense every day makes you better and everybody else around you better. I’ve been taking those reps serious and I think it’s helped me.’’